Organisational Culture

Today, in twenty first century culture and values are given utmost importance in every organization. 'Organisational culture is a set of values, norms, standards of behaviour and common expectations that control the ways in which individuals and groups in an organization interact with each other and work to achieve organizational goals' (Buble & Ivana 2007, p. 143). Culture and values are very important for the survival of an organization. Human resource advantage has a direct impact on human resource policies in an organisation. There is a relationship between human resource advantage and culture. Every organisation should have a big idea to stand out from its competitor in the challenging business environment. Furthermore, senior managers can develop and maintain big idea in the organisation.

Human resource advantage is 'the series of policies, practices and processes that together contribute to the competitive advantage of the organisation' (Purcell et al. 2009, p. 11). Human Resource Advantage consists of two elements which are Human Capital Advantage (HCA) and Organisation Process Advantage (OPA).Human resource advantageemphasises on human resource practices which is to be practiced by the managers and the employees in day to day functions of an organisation. HCA focuses on human capital in areas such as 'recruitment, training, performance management and team building' of an organisation(Purcell et al. 2009, p. 11). It ensures that the people with right attitude are employed for the job and the organisation trains the employees to develop their skills which can be very advantageous for everyone in the future. Whereas, OPA emphasises on the 'processes and routines' which is essential to put the HCA into practice to generate competitive advantage to the organisation (Purcell et al. 2009, p. 11). Organisational culture and values is very important in OPA. The relationship between HCA and OPA are they can serve to be more effective to the organisation when both are practised together side by side that is organisation needs 'both best people and best processes' (Purcell et al. 2009, p. 20).Thus, human resource advantage has a direct impact on human resource policies in an organisation.

There is a relationship between human resource advantage and culture. Culture is 'the single most important element in an organizational success' (Alvensson&Sveningsson 2008, p. 35). Culture can influence choice of human resource policies as there is a link between the employee's values and those of the organisation. A strong culture can be maintained in the organisation by the 'person-organisation fit' where there is selection of staff based on their attitudes and values and their adaptability with the organisational culture. Organisation should recruit people 'who are not only competent but who already share many of the values espoused in